# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Google Meet™ or Zoom Meeting Visual Reminder Cards in 2020 | Digital learning classroom, Online kindergarten, Kindergarten technology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Aug 14, 2020 - These cards are designed to help you remind your students of the rules during your Google Meet™ or Zoom meetings. There are two options for using the cards. Option #1 : Print the cards and put them on sticks and hold them up to the camera. Option #2: Print the cards and just hold the card up to...

# data[].attributes.headline
Distance Learning Book Tips from Patti W.

# data[].attributes.subject
Distance Learning Book Tips from Patti W.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Flippity.net: Flashcards and Other Resources for Educators and Learners

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Create an interactive virtual breakout activity.

# data[].attributes.body
powtoon.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Log in and Make videos in minutes with Powtoon. Use our library of styles, characters, backgrounds and video, or upload your own! Easy and Awesome.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.powtoon.com/s/fUKnlVyY4Ja/1/m

# data[].attributes.headline
Digital Reading Interest Surveys and more

# data[].attributes.subject
Digital Reading Interest Surveys and more

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
One of my favorite things as a teacher is getting to know my students as readers. One of our jobs as teachers is to engage even our most reluctant readers in books and texts that they enjoy. The first step to do that is to get to know your readers and one way to do that is by using reading interest surveys,

But, the same old survey-style worksheets just don't seem to work as well as they did 10 years ago. Our students today want to share and discuss their interests, but they want to do it in ways that are engaging and interesting. One way that I have done reading interest surveys in the past is through a "Around the Room" survey that gets the students up, moving, and talking.

This year may look a little different for many teachers, so I wanted to share some options for digital reading interest surveys. This post will share the new digital version of my reading interest survey questions and a download to access the digital reading interest surveys for free.
Related: Need a way to digitally assess your readers at the beginning of the year? Click here to check out my digital reading pre-assessments.
The digital version is very different from any traditional reading interest survey and I think students will welcome the change from the norm. We were able to mix up the activities and even make some a bit "hands-on."

The reading interest survey questions are divided up into "categories" and you can easily do one of the reading interest activities a day for the first week of school (or just pick and choose the ones that you think will best help you get to your know your students.)

Tip - Share your results with students after they complete theirs. Let me know you will be sharing yours but wait until after to make sure you get authentic responses from the students.
Let's take a look at the different digital reading interest surveys and activities.
Agree or Disagree? Reading Interest Sort

For this reading interest survey, the students read and sort statements about reading based on whether they agree or disagree with them.

Example Statements:

This takes that traditional survey and makes it a bit more engaging with the digital hands-on component.

This or That? Reading Interest Activity

To complete this reading interest activity, students use a digital "circle" to circle which they prefer from two choices.

Here are some examples:
Read a magical book OR Read a realistic book Read at your desk OR Read on the floor
Reading Habits

For this reading survey activity, the students answer (by typing) 4 questions that dive into a bit more detail about their reading habits.

Reading Goals

Want your students to think about goals and what they want to accomplish as readers? This quick 3-question survey will help you get a baseline for how your students view their own personal reading goals.

Reading Choices

Find out more about the types of books your students enjoy with this digital reading survey activity that has the students letting you know which topics and genres they enjoy and which they do not.

Quick Responses

Get some quick data from your students with this non-threatening "Quick Responses" reading survey activity. The students answer easy and quick questions to let you know even more details about themselves as readers and their interests outside of reading (TV shows and movies).

Favorite Books

And finally, knowing what a student's favorite book is can be powerful for getting to know them as a reader. This slide is for the students to tell you their favorite books and why the books are their favorites.

Download the FREE Digital Reading Interest Surveys & Activities Here

From there you can assign them to your students (Click here for a step-by-step guide for assigning in Google Classroom.)

Need More Back to School Digital Activities?

Need More Digital Reading Activities?
Click here or on the image shown to download a PDF with the link to copy the digital reading surveys and activities to your Google Drive.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Free Digital Reading Interest Surveys - Teaching with Jennifer Findley

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Teaching digitally and need a way to learn more about your students as readers? Grab FREE digital reading interest surveys to help!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Have you ever taken your students on a digital field trip? Field trips are a wonderful way to give your students real-world exposure to the content you're teaching. There are so many experiences that just cannot be replicated in the classroom, and a virtual field trip allows your students to have the interaction needed to get a deeper understanding of many concepts.

However, there are a number of downsides to field trips as well. They can be expensive, which means many districts have limited or removed them from their budgets. Field trips can also be stressful. Keeping track of all the students, getting permission slips, and scheduling busses are just a few of the details in planning a field trip. It also means students miss a full day of instruction, including those that receive special services. Finally, it can be challenging to locate nearby experiences that align with your curriculum and standards.

Since sacrificing these experiences is just not an option, you've got to be creative in planning how you'll give your students these authentic experiences. Virtual field trips are a great way to do this!

Advantages of digital field trips

There are tons of advantages to going digital with your field trips. There are no permission slips needed, you're not going to need buses, and most are free! This means you are no longer bound by the time or money restrictions that often get in the way of the experiences we want to give our students.

Getting started with virtual field trips

As you think about utilizing virtual field trips in your classroom, there's a lot to consider. However, you'll find that many resources are available to help you get started, and many great options await you.

What you need to know about planning a virtual field trip

While it might seem like taking a digital field trip requires no preparation, you should know a few things.

First, be sure to investigate the platform you're using. Some may offer live streaming, while others may have pre-recorded videos. You'll want to know this so you can plan your time accordingly.

When it comes to live-streamed virtual field trips, some sites offer you an exclusive classroom experience. Others offer a shared session that can include multiple classrooms from around the country or even the world. One advantage of these live sessions is there is often a question-and-answer period to allow students to get expert insight and answers to their pressing questions.

You'll also want to investigate whether the sessions are prescheduled or if the site allows you to request a specific time and date. This can be important when planning your schedule or deciding how to structure a unit that will include one of these experiences.

Where to find virtual field trips

Digital Databases for Guided Experiences

One place to find virtual field trips is through an online database. These databases contain many options, so you'll want to give yourself time to dig into these resources to find exactly what you need for your students.

Most field trips listed in the databases below are free, but be aware that a few cost money. Enjoy searching through all of the field trip options!

The Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration: This is a paid site with science and STEM-related options, but the cost is minimal (currently $25 for 10 digital field trips). The field trips on this site are live and interactive. Each program is 30 minutes and has a 15 minute Q & A session.

Self-guided digital field trips

You also have the option of engaging in self-guided exploration. You can do this as a whole class via your projector, independently, or in small groups.

Unlike guided field trips, these require a little more work. You'll want to set a specific purpose to keep students on task. However, there are a number of really amazing opportunities for self-guided virtual field trips that I loved using in my classroom.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Google Expeditions: I had the opportunity to experience the Google Cardboard Virtual Reality viewer at a conference several years back, which was amazing. We took the expedition to Mount Everest, and it was so amazing to see how they could use technology to help us feel like we were standing on the edge of the snow-covered mountain. Google Expeditions offers many great experiences (and you don't need Cardboard to make them work).

Google Lit Trips: These are great for getting students more deeply immersed in the books or novels you're reading. These lit trips allow you to explore the cultural and historical settings related to the reading. They help students have a better perspective on the events of the story. This is better as a guided activity for younger learners. However, it is a great opportunity to build depth into a novel study for older students.

National Parks: With virtual opportunities to explore national parks nationwide, this site is great for your life science units. Students can explore parks near and far and learn about the unique flora and fauna.

Unique virtual field trip options to engage students

If you're looking for something fun or unique to engage your learners, these sites offer great options that are really immersive and exciting.

Try something new!

Whether teaching first grade, high school, or something in between, great options are available to help your students make real-world connections to your lessons. Digital field trips are one great option. I hope you found some resources to get started.

Grab your free Digital Field Trip Reflection form by entering your email below.

Looking for more awesome articles to help you enrich your classroom? Check out the ones below:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Amazing Digital Field Trips to Take with Your Students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
While field trips can be stressful and expensive, technology offers a great alternative. A digital field trip solves the challenges of traditional options and lets students experience the world outside your classroom without the hassles. Find great virtual field trips for history, science, reading, and more.